DPR Will Not Pass Criminal Code Draft Bill into Law Tomorrow

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Bambang Soesatyo announced the House would not pass the draft revisions of Criminal Code Law (RKUHP) into law in the plenary meeting that was slated to take place on Tuesday, September 24. 

“Yes, [the draft bill will not be passed] tomorrow,” said Bambang after a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, September 23.

The House’s Law Commission deputy head Mulfachri said his side would have another look into some articles that had stirred public controversies. According to him, there are still three plenary meetings that were planned to be held by the end of the DPR of the 2019-2024 period at the end of this month.

“Before that, we will hold forums of the government and the DPR. We will later see to what extent the forum will offer good results to all of us,” said Mulfachri.

Earlier, House leaders along with faction leaders and the Law Commission met President Jokowi today to consult about the continuation of the RKUHP. The government and lawmakers have initially agreed to ratify the amended law, yet the President recently demanded postponement in the wake of public outcries.

As for the fate of the Criminal Code Draft Bill, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said the government would comply with the prevailing mechanism in the DPR. “[The draft bill] will be brought to a plenary meeting for completion [to be passed or not],” said Yasonna.

AHMAD FAIZ